dailycitron's blog

Here's a painless way to reduce one of your monthly bills and encourage a less waste-producing lifestyle: downsize your garbage can. 

A couple years ago our city introduced three sizes of garbage cans, with corresponding reduced prices.  The first is the standard size that we're all used to: 68 gallons.  When we were using disposable diapers for our daughter (I know, I know, so-not-green!), we needed this full-sized can, so we had to pay full price on our garbage bill ($55.84/month).  But once she was potty trained, we noticed we were only filling the can 1/2 way each week. ... read more

My family's gotten into the recycling routine at home- we recycle paper, plastic, cans, plastic bags, and yard trimmings.  It's hardly a feat to be proud of because it's so easy- our city's recycling service picks up all of these materials from our curb each week, with minimal sorting required of us.  Reusing materials (the more environmentally friendly alternative, since it avoids the energy consumption involved in recycling) has not been our strength, and I'm trying to work on that.  Reusing obviously takes a little more effort and creativity that simply tossing an empty soda can into a recycling bin.  Here are three simple ways to reuse old paper such as old bills, draft documents we don't need anymore, and credit card offer letters:... read more

One of the main tenets of environmentally conscious living is to reduce consumption of manufactured goods.  However, when you're living such a lifestyle, you may find there are times when you feel an incredible urge to buy something, or anything. These urges are probably most common for those of us who are recovering shopaholics- our brains have been conditioned to enjoy acquiring retail goods, so it's difficult to let go of that source of pleasure.... read more